"Zero-Tolerance" Getting Backlash.

[Sock Full of Boiled Dimes]

I don't use bad language much, but...

About fucking time.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070615/ap_on_re_us/zero_tolerance

How in the hell are does our government allow a law to be passed that basically treats students as Enemies rather than just students?

[Kwiz]

For the first time in a while, my faith in humanity is showing signs of recovery.

[Jay]

Finally someone has seen sense.

[Archomnislash]

Finally putting attention on this stupid rule, just as I graduate from High School.

[Angelyne]

How in the hell are does our government allow a law to be passed that basically treats students as Enemies rather than just students?

Because the purpose of public schools is to indoctrinate kids into always submitting to authority?

[Citizen]

Because the purpose of public schools is to indoctrinate kids into always submitting to authority?

I always thought it was to teach them and prepare them for life in normal society. Not to prepare them for an Orwell book.

[Angelyne]

I always thought it was to teach them and prepare them for life in normal society. Not to prepare them for an Orwell book.

We are capable of educating without the "obey the school administration or else" mentality and conditioning that pervades public schooling.

And if the government honestly gave a shit about preparing us for life, the entire education system in this country wouldn't be FUBAR.

[Silverhawk]

Utah altered its zero-tolerance policy on drugs so asthmatic students can carry inhalers.
whoa... they didn't allow asthmatic students to carry their inhalers? O_O
I knew the zero-tolerance was bad, but I didn't know it was THAT BAD. Its a good thing they're finally coming to their senses.

[japanat]

Here's Randy Cunningham of 'This is True' writing about ZT. He has some good things to say, and points out lots of interesting/funny/unbelievable cases.

http://www.thisistrue.com/zt.html

[Ozero]

"You can't really have a zero tolerance," he said. "We have track and field. We throw javelins. If you think about it, you can pretty much make anything into a weapon."

Sounds like an open door for ninja invasion, if you ask me.

[Hatsumomo]

We are capable of educating without the "obey the school administration or else" mentality and conditioning that pervades public schooling.

And if the government honestly gave a shit about preparing us for life, the entire education system in this country wouldn't be FUBAR.

What really sucks is that the public education in my county was actually quite good (one of the best in the state) until No Child Left Behind got put into play. Now they just teach for the SOL (Standards of Learning, though we had our own interpretations of the acronym) tests. So they've essentially taught kids to regurgitate what the teachers want to hear instead of learning critical analysis skills and coming to your own conclusions. Life isn't math where there will be one and only one correct answer.

[Kaji]

Standards are good in principle, but aren't really executed that well is what it boils down to, there. You do want to make sure people know an established modicum of information to get their diploma; it's how you ensure it's actually worth something more than its paper and ink.